Interference? FED only

[outathm]

In our HS meeting tonight the play was brought up in which a pitcher deflect a ball toward the shortstop, who in the process of fielding it is hit by the runner going from 2nd to third.

They were saying that this is interference. I have not yet received my HS rule books, but I am sure that someone in here has theirs and can tell me if this is right or wrong, and please cite the rule #.

Thank you for only citing NFHS and not not NCAA/ASA/USSSA/ any other.

[RKBUmp]

In FED yes it would be interference. Rules are 8-6-10 and 2-47. The fielder making the initial play on a batted ball is protected. The initial play is still considered to be in effect on a batted ball that has been deflected by the pitcher.

[outathm]

Thanks. I couldn't believe that a ball touched by a fielder could still have an interference, but I am glad I didn't argue now. Silence is golden on this one.

[EsqUmp]

I guess FED requires runners to predict ricochets off of the pitcher, just not other fielders ... If this is so, it defies common sense.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

I guess FED requires runners to predict ricochets off of the pitcher, just not other fielders ... If this is so, it defies common sense.

In NCAA and ASA, the infraction requires the runner to intentionally hinder the second fielder making the play. So it's not much different.

[RKBUmp]

I tend to agree on the runner having to predict where the ricochet is going. 8-8-6 deals with the runner being hit by a deflected ball and not having the opportunity to avoid being hit. Not sure why they would have us rule differently if the ball deflected in such a way the runner could not avoid interfering on a ball deflecting off the pitcher.